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  •  » FYI Ford, Classic Mustang Tech Discussion
  •  » Blacking out all chrome on 1965 Mustang exterior......

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    6/09/2026 7:02 AM  #1

    BILLY WALTON from GEORGIA
    Carrollton, GA Bash Host

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    From: CARROLLTON GEORGIA
    Registered: 4/14/2013
    Posts: 2,765

    Blacking out all chrome on 1965 Mustang exterior......

    Has anyone done this on here.... if so, How did you do the windshield chrome/stainless,mirrors,tail light Bezels gas cap. I won't have a front bumper because I will have the Shelby R valence without the bumper and I have the paintable back bumper. I guess what I need to know is the stuff paintable or do people get stuff powder coated or what.... those freaking billet taillight bezels are outrageous.

    Its really me....I fixed my caps lock .
     

    6/09/2026 8:59 AM  #2

    RTM
    Senior 24-7 FYI Addict

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    From: Cape Coral FL
    Registered: 5/22/2019
    Posts: 2,106

    Re: Blacking out all chrome on 1965 Mustang exterior......

    I thought about doing it to my build.  I didn't because I feel the chrome looks better with my red.  If the body color is dark enough then I think the black out look is better than having a lighter body color.

     

    6/09/2026 9:42 AM  #3

    BILLY WALTON from GEORGIA
    Carrollton, GA Bash Host

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    From: CARROLLTON GEORGIA
    Registered: 4/14/2013
    Posts: 2,765

    Re: Blacking out all chrome on 1965 Mustang exterior......

    RTM wrote:

    I thought about doing it to my build. I didn't because I feel the chrome looks better with my red. If the body color is dark enough then I think the black out look is better than having a lighter body color.

    yeah my car is black.
     

    Its really me....I fixed my caps lock .
       •Thread Starter
     

    6/10/2026 4:57 AM  #4

    TKOPerformance
    Hyper FYIFORD ADDICT

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    From: Newark, DE
    Registered: 12/15/2014
    Posts: 7,986

    Re: Blacking out all chrome on 1965 Mustang exterior......

    So's mine, but IMO the chrome accents the black.  Its a classic Mustang, not an '87 Grand National.  To me, when I see painted chrome and trim my first thought is that its a cheapo build where the owner didn't want to spend the money to properly redo the chrome and stainless.  Just my $0.02

    I also think the amount of time to do it right is considerable.  You're not going to get good results with a rattle can.  

     

    6/10/2026 6:47 AM  #5

    BobE
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    From: White Plains, NY
    Registered: 4/04/2013
    Posts: 3,009

    Re: Blacking out all chrome on 1965 Mustang exterior......

    Mine is dark green, and I also like the way the chrome trim accents the dark color.  I did remove the body emblems, as I think it gives a cleaner look.
    But, to each his own. 

    65 Fastback, 351W, 5-speed, 4 wheel discs, 9" rear,  R&C Front End.
     

    6/10/2026 10:37 AM  #6

    6sally6
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    From: Surfside Beach,SC
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 7,013

    Re: Blacking out all chrome on 1965 Mustang exterior......

    Welp(thx RPM)........I DID paint my front bumper the same color as the body(including the Shelby stripes).
    YES it was because the front bumper chrome was getting rust on it and had various scratches on it
    YES it was a cheap-a$$ aftermarket replacement (second one!)
    YES I sanded and primed and used several coats of rattle can paint to match the body color.
    YES the original chrome bumper looks better BUTT the painted bumper turned out very well and still looks good after 3+ years.
    Since I was NOT going for the pristine "factory-look" I am very satisfied with the results. (which is really the whole point right?)
    The rear bumper still looks pretty good so there is no plans to paint it.
    (Not sure about blacking-out ALL trim though
    As far as cruise ins and such...by the time the 'gawkers' get to the rear of the car they have forgotten the front is painted and the rear bumper isn't...
    6sally6

    Get busy Liv'in or get busy Die'n....Host of the 2020 Bash at the Beach/The only Bash that got cancelled  )8
     

    6/11/2026 4:12 AM  #7

    John Ha
    Senior 24-7 FYI Addict

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    From: Mitchell, SD
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 1,054

    Re: Blacking out all chrome on 1965 Mustang exterior......

    BILLY WALTON from GEORGIA wrote:

    Has anyone done this on here.... if so, How did you do the windshield chrome/stainless,mirrors,tail light Bezels gas cap. I won't have a front bumper because I will have the Shelby R valence without the bumper and I have the paintable back bumper. I guess what I need to know is the stuff paintable or do people get stuff powder coated or what.... those freaking billet taillight bezels are outrageous.

    JMHO but I'd buy some inexpensive reproduction parts to replace any original parts you want to paint, and paint the repro parts.  Save the original parts for the day when you (or someone else) gets tired of the black and realizes that Ford got it right with the shiny stuff 

    Founding Member of the Perpetually Bewildered Society
     

    6/11/2026 6:53 AM  #8

    BobE
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    From: White Plains, NY
    Registered: 4/04/2013
    Posts: 3,009

    Re: Blacking out all chrome on 1965 Mustang exterior......

    6sally6 wrote:

    Welp(thx RPM)........I DID paint my front bumper the same color as the body(including the Shelby stripes).
    YES it was because the front bumper chrome was getting rust on it and had various scratches on it
    YES it was a cheap-a$$ aftermarket replacement (second one!)
    YES I sanded and primed and used several coats of rattle can paint to match the body color.
    YES the original chrome bumper looks better BUTT the painted bumper turned out very well and still looks good after 3+ years.
    Since I was NOT going for the pristine "factory-look" I am very satisfied with the results. (which is really the whole point right?)
    The rear bumper still looks pretty good so there is no plans to paint it.
    (Not sure about blacking-out ALL trim though
    As far as cruise ins and such...by the time the 'gawkers' get to the rear of the car they have forgotten the front is painted and the rear bumper isn't...
    6sally6

    Good response Sal, LOL at the 'gawkers' viewings!
     

    65 Fastback, 351W, 5-speed, 4 wheel discs, 9" rear,  R&C Front End.
     

    6/11/2026 10:45 PM  #9

    BILLY WALTON from GEORGIA
    Carrollton, GA Bash Host

    Offline

    From: CARROLLTON GEORGIA
    Registered: 4/14/2013
    Posts: 2,765

    Re: Blacking out all chrome on 1965 Mustang exterior......

    6sally6 wrote:

    Welp(thx RPM)........I DID paint my front bumper the same color as the body(including the Shelby stripes).
    YES it was because the front bumper chrome was getting rust on it and had various scratches on it
    YES it was a cheap-a$$ aftermarket replacement (second one!)
    YES I sanded and primed and used several coats of rattle can paint to match the body color.
    YES the original chrome bumper looks better BUTT the painted bumper turned out very well and still looks good after 3+ years.
    Since I was NOT going for the pristine "factory-look" I am very satisfied with the results. (which is really the whole point right?)
    The rear bumper still looks pretty good so there is no plans to paint it.
    (Not sure about blacking-out ALL trim though
    As far as cruise ins and such...by the time the 'gawkers' get to the rear of the car they have forgotten the front is painted and the rear bumper isn't...
    6sally6

    I am gonna have the front shelby valence without bumper and painted back bumper,shelby hood scoop and shelby side scoops. I have 17 inch shelby 10 spokes on it right now.. original parts will never go back on. I like the Shelby race look. I am going for the Patina Shelby race car look right down to weathered sticker and numbers ons doors and hood hopefully

     

    Its really me....I fixed my caps lock .
       •Thread Starter
     

     

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